A dental implant replaces a missing tooth root with a titanium post that supports a crown, bridge or denture. Its main advantages are stability, not having to cut down neighbouring teeth, and keeping the bone active. It needs surgery, months of healing and good health and gums, so it does not suit everyone.
What a missing tooth changes
A missing tooth affects more than appearance. Chewing becomes less even, neighbouring teeth can tilt into the gap, the opposite tooth can drift downwards, and food packs into the space more easily. The jawbone where the root used to be also gradually shrinks, because it is no longer being loaded by chewing.
There are three usual ways to replace a tooth: a removable denture, a fixed bridge, or an implant. Each has a place. The aim here is to explain what an implant offers and what it asks of you.
What an implant is
A dental implant is a small post, usually titanium, placed in the jawbone by a minor surgical procedure. Over about 3 to 6 months the bone grows around it and holds it firmly. A crown, a bridge or a denture is then attached to the post. In that sense, the implant acts as an artificial root.
The main benefits
Stability when you eat and speak. Because the post is anchored in bone, an implant-supported tooth does not slide around like a loose denture can. Many people find it easier to chew a wider range of foods and to speak clearly.
Neighbouring teeth are left alone. A conventional bridge usually needs the teeth on both sides of the gap to be filed down and crowned. An implant stands on its own, so those teeth can stay as they are. If they are already heavily filled or crowned, this advantage is smaller.
The bone stays loaded. An implant transmits chewing forces to the jaw, which helps preserve bone in that spot. It does not rebuild lost bone by itself, but it avoids the extra shrinkage that can follow when a root is gone.
A fixed tooth that is cleaned like your own. Implant teeth are not taken out at night. You brush and clean between them in much the same way as natural teeth, with some extra attention around the gum.
Long-term outcomes. Studies of modern implants usually report survival rates above 90 per cent at 10 years. These are averages for groups of people, and no dentist can promise a number of years for one person. The crown on top may need to be replaced sooner than the post. See how long dental implants last for more detail.
The limits to be aware of
- It is surgery. You will have local anaesthetic, and swelling and discomfort for a few days afterwards, usually manageable with the medicines your surgeon advises.
- It takes time. From placement to the final crown is commonly 3 to 6 months or longer, and longer still if a bone graft is needed first.
- It often costs more at the start than a denture or bridge. Costs depend on the number of implants, the materials, the scans and any extra procedures. Our page on what affects dental cost explains this.
- Implants can fail. Early failure is uncommon, and later problems usually come from gum infection around the implant (peri-implantitis).
- They need lifelong care. Cleaning and regular reviews remain necessary.
Who is usually suitable
Implants are generally considered for adults whose jaws have finished growing and who have:
- good general health
- healthy gums, or gum disease that is treated and stable
- enough bone, or a plan to add bone
- a willingness to keep up cleaning and check-ups
Good general health matters more than age. The American Dental Association notes that conditions such as diabetes can slow healing, and tobacco use also slows healing and raises the risk of failure. That does not always rule an implant out, but it needs careful assessment. Tell your surgeon about all medicines, including any for bone strength or blood thinning, and about any radiotherapy to the head and neck.
What the assessment involves
Before deciding, you can expect a history, a look at the gums and bite, and X-rays. An OPG or CBCT scan may be used if needed to measure bone and see nearby structures. Some jaws need a bone graft or, in the upper back jaw, a sinus lift first. A treatment plan should explain the alternatives too, including a bridge or denture, so that you can compare them. For the steps, see dental implants.
Is an implant the right choice for you
No single option suits everyone. An implant may suit you if you want a fixed tooth, have healthy bone and gums, and accept the surgery and the timeline. A bridge or denture may suit you better if surgery is not advisable, bone is limited, or you prefer a shorter, simpler course. Ask your dentist to go through each option with its advantages and drawbacks for your own mouth.
When to see a dentist
- A missing tooth, or several, that you are thinking of replacing
- A denture that moves, rubs or makes eating difficult
- A gap where neighbouring teeth are starting to tilt or drift
- Bleeding, swelling or pus around an existing implant
- Pain, a loose crown or a loose post on an existing implant
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